mike tarelli

The tweeters for the 3a improved are the same as the 3a. I would think the ax2 tweeters are quite unsuitable. Best thing to do is have the originals re-built by Roy or Chris from this site. There is a 3a improved schematic in the library. Mike

I have a pair of AR-LST powered by 1 Quad 606 per channel. It sounds superb. If I'm honest it sounded just as good with a single 606. The LSTs are not an easy load but the amps do develop 220 watts into 4ohms. I would have Quad service them though. Hope this helps.

Have you contacted Wilmslow Audio? They could re-foam the woofers and replace the caps. For the tweeters I would bite the bullet and send them to Chris on this site. Worth the effort and the cost.

I never found the answer to this. However if anyone is interested Vintage AR now have them available. Bless them!

Does anyone know the thread size for the grub screws in the spectral control knob? Thanks.

Seen a lot of UK speakers like that. All teak. I agree with Giorgio.

Had a look at Wichelt website. They have a "new product" in lambswool linen and it's 20 count. Probably explains the demise of 18 count. That must be close enough and available through ever reliable 123stitch.

I'm in the UK and had Chris1This1 restore all 8 of my AR-LSTs tweeters. The difference was quite remarkable. Follow his guidance on packing and be prepared to pay some cash to HMRC! Worth it though. Mike

They do have a phono input - two in fact! I have used mine for years with AR 3a improved or AR 11.

OK then a Leak Stereo 70. Works very well with AR 3a improved. But have it serviced.

Although better known for pre/power amplifiers Quad have made integrated amps for some years. Their neutral sound suits AR speakers very well and they have a brilliant service department so buying second hand is not a problem. Look at the Quad Vena and Vena 11. Mike Tarelli

Hi Robert Wembley Loudspeakers have a very good reputation. When you re- fitted the woofers did you ensure they were air -tight? Very important!

Hi Stephen, With those two names on the schematic you can be sure it's correct. Certainly that's how mine are wired. Mike

Chris on this forum repairs tweeters like yours. I cannot recommend him highly enough. His contact is Chris1this1. Mike

Hi, Is it new woofers that you need or just the foam surrounds that are shot? Re-foam kits are freely available and not difficult to fit. Mike

Hello Martyn I always use Copydex for new fabric. Worked fine on my AR 18s. Mike

Update time. Thanks again to everyone who replied to my original post. In the end I decided to contact Chris and go with the rebuilds. I carefully noted the wiring, only to find out later that it was hopelessly wrong! All 8 tweeters had been replaced in 1974 and had identical date stamps. Chris did the work very quickly and the result is excellent. Don't want to get lost in flowery descriptions of sound, but the speakers sound more spacious. He has done a fantastic job and provided me with the correct wiring diagram. Special mention also to Roy, who guided me behind the scenes. This leads to "A CAUTIONARY TALE". When I sent the tweeters with UPS they arrived next day, before midday, and cost £50 / $62. UPS also advised the Waybill was marked "temporary export for repair". All was well. When Chris came to return the tweeters with UPS, in the same packaging, to arrive in 2 days, it cost £264 / $4331. The Waybill was marked, by mutual agreement, "returning repaired items". OK, it was more expensive, but the real problem happened in the UK. Customs obliged UPS to hold on to the package whilst I provided more information. In the end, they decided the cost of repair plus the shipping cost was what the tweeters were worth. To release the package I had to pay a further £192 / $240. Basically, they kidnapped my tweeters and held them for ransom for 5 days! Everybody involved in this project is a star apart from UK customs! If you have ever thought about having your tweeters rebuilt, do it! Just try and avoid UK Customs!!

Thank you Kent, ra.ra and genek for your helpful suggestions. I appreciate your expertise and generous spirit in helping me to decide. As LSTs are so special, I think I must pursue the rebuild route- not so much biting the bullet but biting the 16 inch shell ! Thanks again.

Thank you gentlemen for the replies. Looks like it's time for action with the tweeters. If I made a once in a lifetime decision to repair or renew the 8 front-wired tweeters, what would you recommend? Chris's rebuilds? Hi Vi's with inductors? I am in the UK. Thanks again.

Apologies if this topic has been covered before but I can't find it in the forum. Is the output of the front tweeters on LSTs meant to be quieter than the side ones? I believe this is true on the 4 tweeter MST but I can't remember ever seeing that this was normal for LSTs. Thanks, Mike

Thanks to all concerned for this great document. As a direct result of it I have refoamed my early AR11s,had their cabinets re-polished,refoamed my AR3a improved,had their cabinets re-veneered and found out they were wired incorrectly(AR3a improved crossover schematic) bought a pair of AR6 to re-foam and re- veneer and thoroughly enjoyed myself! Thanks again. Mike.